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Troubleshooting Reference – May 2013 (Part 2)

5/9/2013 9:03:06 AM

Networking

A down, slow, or unreliable network can lead to significant downtime and frustration. Here, we’ll help you troubleshoot a few of the most common network problems.

Try the power cycle

A down, slow, or unreliable network can lead to significant downtime and frustration

A down, slow, or unreliable network can lead to significant downtime and frustration

When it comes to the physical network, there are two devices that can possibly fail: the router and the modem. Both have simple fixes. Turn them off, wait ten seconds or so, and turn them back on again. This “power cycling” will resolve many network issues. For example, the router may have had a problem renewing its IP address or releasing new IP addresses for the computers on your network. Restarting the router or modem resets the device’s software, often solving these sorts of problems.

Examine your network adapter

If that didn’t solve the issue, check the PC’s network adapter. The Network Diagnostic utility built into Windows 7 can renew your computer’s IP address and ensure that the network adapter is enabled. To run Network Diagnostic in Windows 7, click the Start orb, select Control Panel, choose Network And Internet, and select Network And Sharing Center. Under View Your Active Networks, select the link next to Connections and click the Diagnose button. Windows will run a few tests to try and ix the problem.

Weak wireless signal

Watch out for nearby devices such as microwaves, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, and phones, all of which can cause interference in the signal. Move your router someplace where it’s less likely to experience interference.

Intermittent connection

Move your router someplace where it’s less likely to experience interference

Move your router someplace where it’s less likely to experience interference

You’ll want to check the physical connections to your router to see if all the cords are securely connected. A loose connection may explain why the Web drops intermittently. It’s possible that the cable may have a cut or kink that causes a fault in the connection. Try replacing the Ethernet cable.

Prevention

Wireless signal interference will typically be worse if the device causing the problem is close to the router. Try moving your router or PC to a different location, where the interference will have less of an effect. (And see “Troubleshooting Reference: Wi-Fi Connection” in this section for more information.)

Fix-it checklist

Here are the tools you’ll need when troubleshooting your network.

·         Extra Ethernet cable to replace bad or kinked cable

·         Unused outlets for alternative locations to place wireless router

·         Users manuals for routers and other networking equipment

Wi-Fi connection

Internet connectivity has become synonymous with “smart” when it comes to consumer electronics and appliances

Internet connectivity has become synonymous with “smart” when it comes to consumer electronics and appliances

Internet connectivity has become synonymous with “smart” when it comes to consumer electronics and appliances. But if your Wi-Fi connection goes down, you might have a hard time adjusting to a Blu-ray player that just plays Blu-ray Discs, a phone that only makes phone calls, and a tablet that just plays games. Follow these Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting tips to “smarten up” your favorite gadgets.

Device fails to detect a Wi-Fi network

The first thing you should do is find another Wi-Fi-capable device and attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi net-work. If the second device also cannot locate the SSID (Service Set Identifier), or Wi-Fi network name, then turn your attention to the wireless router. Most routers have LEDs that indicate connection status, so consult your manual and determine if the router appears to be operating normally. The manual also provides instructions for accessing the configuration menu, so check this to make sure you actually have a wireless network up and running. Reset your security password if necessary. Make sure that your router is configured to broadcast the SSID, at least while you’re troubleshooting. (You may wish to stop broadcasting once the problem is resolved.) Also, check the wired devices plugged into your router to determine if the router itself is malfunctioning. Finally, restart your PC and any device that has failed to connect to the wireless network. If the connectivity issue is isolated to a single device, disabling and re-enabling Wi-Fi may solve the problem.

The Wi-Fi network is working, but there’s no internet

A Wi-Fi network requires little maintenance

A Wi-Fi network requires little maintenance

You may need to reset your Internet connection. Unplug the wireless router and modem. Next, plug in the modem and wait ten to twenty seconds for the lights to come on and then plug in the router. If your modem has a battery backup, you may need to press a recessed button to reset it. Check all Ethernet cables for loose connections and then try to find your Wireless network with your Wi-Fi-based devices.

Prevention

A Wi-Fi network requires little maintenance. If you regularly maintain your PC, modem, router, and wireless devices, the network should continue to operate lawlessly. You may experience speed fluctuations if there are too many devices or appliances nearby that operate on the same frequency; minimize this problem by keeping your wireless router and Wi-Fi devices away from cordless phones, microwaves, wireless game controllers, Bluetooth devices, and even fluorescent lights.

Fix-it checklist

It’s helpful to have a few things on hand when your Wi-Fi network fails. Here’s a short checklist that’ll help you solve the problem.

·         A spare device that supports  Wi-Fi

·         Manuals for your router and modem

·         Spare Ethernet cables

·         Wireless router or adapter driver discs

·         Alternate Wi-Fi router

·         USB Wi-Fi adapter

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